What You Didn’t Know About AppleCare+ Coverage
AppleCare+ coverage is available for almost every Apple product. However, it’s only available for a limited time after the product purchase.
Apple products are made for long-term use. But, unfortunately, production snafus and accidents do happen. It’s at moments like these when having AppleCare+ coverage is helpful. Here’s a closer look at the product protection plan and points about it you might have missed.
When you purchase a new or refurbished Apple product, it already comes with AppleCare. This service includes up to 90 days of free technical support and a year of hardware repair coverage. In addition, an AppleCare+ subscription, which you must purchase separately, extends technical support availability and your product warranty.
For iPhone, Cupertino also offers AppleCare+ with theft and loss protection, which you can read more about below.
AppleCare+ By Product
To date, AppleCare+ is available for nine Apple products: Mac, Apple Display, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Headphones, and HomePod mini. In most countries and regions, you can buy AppleCare+ within 60 days of your device purchase. For example, in Japan, you can buy AppleCare+ within 30 days of your device purchase. Elsewhere, you’ll have an entire year after first purchasing to protect your device with AppleCare+.
Mac
Every Mac sold comes with one year of hardware repair coverage through its limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support. AppleCare+ extends coverage by two years and includes two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months and 24/7 priority access to Apple experts by chat or phone. The per-incident deductible for accidents is $99 for screen or enclosure damage and $299 for everything else.
AppleCare+ for Mac covers the computer, battery when less than 80% capacity, accessories included in the box, Apple memory, AirPort devices if purchased within two years of the Mac, and Apple USB SuperDrive.
The price for AppleCare+ varies based on the Mac model. The numbers mentioned below are in the U.S. only.
- MacBook Air at $199
- 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1) at $249
- 13-inch MacBook Pro (Intel) at $269
- 16-inch MacBook Pro at $379
- Mac mini at $99
- iMac at $169
- Mac Pro at $299
In June 2021, Apple began charging less for AppleCare+ coverage on a MacBook Air. Instead of paying $249, the price has dropped to $199. Elsewhere, the MacBook Pro has also seen a price drop of AppleCare+. The price on the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Apple MI is now $249, down from $269. Intel-based products remain at $269.
How to Purchase: You can purchase an AppleCare+ subscription when you buy your Mac or go the maximum of 60 days and purchase it online, at an Apple retail store, from the device, or by contacting Apple.
Apple Pro Display
The company’s AppleCare+ coverage for its Pro displays is $499 and includes accidental deductibles of $99 per incident for a damaged screen or enclosure and $299 for other damage.
iPhone
Apple’s top-selling product, iPhone, also comes with AppleCare with AppleCare+available up until 60 days after purchase. Additionally, there are both AppleCare+ and AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss products for iPhone.
Currently, Apple charges a one-time fee of $200 for AppleCare+ for iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max and $270 for AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss. You can also make monthly payments of $10 or $13.50, respectively.
For iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, the price is $150 (or $8 per month) or $220 ($11.50) when it includes theft and loss.
iPhone accidental deductibles are $29 for screen damage and $99 for other accidental damage. Membership includes two accident incidents every 12 months. In addition, if your device is lost or stolen, Apple will replace it for $149.
iPad
AppleCare+ coverage for both iPad Pro models is $129 or $5.99 per month, or $69 ($3.49) for the iPad Air 4, iPad 8, and iPad mini 5. Unlike with iPhone, Apple groups “accidental damage repair” into one bucket, which costs $49 per incident and allows for two incidents per year.
As a bonus, AppleCare+ for iPad also covers Apple Pencil and any Apple-branded iPad keyboard.
iPod touch
For $59, you can purchase AppleCare+ protection for your iPod touch. Like the other plans, this extends protection by two years and gives you 24/7 priority access to technical support. In addition, each incident that involved accidental damage includes a service fee of $29. You’re allowed two incidents per year.
Apple Watch
For your smartwatch, Apple offers AppleCare+ at various price points, depending on your device model. For example, coverage for the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE is $79 and $49, respectively. With these models, you get two incidents of accidental damage per year for $69 per incident.
For the Apple Watch Hermès and Apple Watch Edition, the price jumps to $149; however, that’s good for three additional years of coverage. Each incident here is $79.
Apple TV
New for Apple TV, AppleCare+ for the entertainment box is $30 or $4.83 per month for six months. Each incident will set you back $15.
Headphones
Available for AirPods, Beats earphones, or Beats headphones, AppleCare+ is $29 and an additional $29 for each incident that includes accidental damage. The two incident per year rule applies.
HomePod mini
Finally, Apple’s charging $15 for AppleCare+ for the HomePod mini. Each incident is also $15, with a limit of two incidents every 12 months.
FAQ about AppleCare+
There are a few additional points about Apple’s insurance plan worth considering, including the following.
You Can Extend Your Warranty
In most cases, you can extend your warranty in the United States on a monthly basic beyond the original timeframe for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Macs are also eligible for additional yearly payments. To check whether your device qualified, visit mysupport.apple.com and follow the on-screen instructions. You have 30 days from the time coverage ends to extend the warranty.
AppleCare+ is Available for Certifed Refurbished Products
If you purchase a refurbished product directly from Apple, you can buy AppleCare+ for a limited time.
Living Near An Apple Store Isn’t a Requirement …
If your product needs service (regardless of the reason) and you have AppleCare+, you don’t have to rush to the nearest Apple retail store. You can also use Apple’s mail-in repair service or, in many cases, use an Apple Authorized Service Provider. In some areas, onsite service is also available.
As you can see, AppleCare+ is available for most Apple products. If you’re thinking about getting coverage, remember to buy it at the time of product purchase or within 60 days. Otherwise, in most countries, you’ll be out of luck.
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